I am wondering if any photographers ever leave a business card or “Thank You” note behind after shooting a property? I am debating leaving something saying “Thank you for allowing us to photograph your home today! Best of wishes to you!” but not sure if I should just have our logo or contact info on the note, like a business card? I hesitate because the agent is our client and we do NOT want our client’s client contacting us directly. I feel it’s a nice added value gesture on the agent’s behalf, although not necessary. Thoughts?

I think it is very appropriate to leave a card for the homeowner. Homeowners always like to know when people are in their home and why.

While agents can always see who showed a listed property and when from the lockbox access data it’s always been a homeowner courtesy to leave a card when you show someone’s home. Same thing for a photographer. It just says “I was here and photographed your home”. Even if you were there with the listing agent, I think it is a nice courtesy to leave a card.

9 Responses to “Should I Leave a “Thank you for allowing us to photograph your home today!”

Leave a business card. I’m a photographer and also an agent. I see a lot of homes. Agents always leave a card. Lenders, inspectors, carpet cleaners, pest control, electricians, plumbers, photographers and anyone else looking at or working on the house frequently leave cards on the kitchen counter. Since the photographer is usually in before the house is listed, chances are that other agents will see the card and will have already seen the pictures on the MLS. It’s a good way to pick up another client. I leave a couple of extra cards.

I leave a card for the seller–it congratulates them on having their home professionally photographed and informs them that if they need the photos beyond what their agents need them for, to contact me to purchase a license. I’ve had some naughty home sellers in the past either break contracts with agents or wait till they expire and then go FSBO with my photos.

We actually had small postcards made via Vistaprint with a photo on the front – similar to an old Polaroid Photo – and our logo and contact info on the back as a take away for other REALTORS listing the listing. Our stager also does the same!

I can’t remember his name right now, but there is a photographer in California that is on the Flickr group that leaves a post card sized piece that reads something like “This home professionally photographed as part of the Agent’s marketing package”. The photographer’s name and contact information are also on the card, of course. A business card is ok, but a larger item might get more attention.

I like that his text compliments the agent on their marketing efforts.

@Ken- That gives me a good idea. I have a high end printer, and it would be cool to do some ahead of time with the client’s name on them. A little more personalized. Could just print something like five at a time.

@Jim, you could have a stack of cards printed up with a space where you can print an agents information. Just don’t have that side of the card coated, if you decide to add coating. If you build the card in PS, it’s easy to turn off the agent info for the bulk printing and turn it on when you want to print in that space with the other layers off.